Method and system for processing financial instrument deposits physically remote from a financial institution

ABSTRACT

A system that includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types of organizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securely transmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks, business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, food coupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and other information from remote locations (i.e., locations that could include the financial institution&#39;s remote locations, other financial institution&#39;s locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for the purpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual&#39;s or organization&#39;s bank account(s) and having the check images (and/or physical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker&#39;s account.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/624,076, filed Nov. 23, 2009, which is a Continuation U.S.application Ser. No. 12/210,593, filed Sep. 15, 2008 (U.S. Pat. No.7,624,071), which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/914,151, filed Aug. 10, 2004, (U.S. Pat. No. 7,440,924), which is aDivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/560,779, filed Apr. 28, 2000(U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,430). The entire contents of the aforementionedapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to physical financial instrumentprocessing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a methodand system for remotely processing checks through electronic interactionbetween the physical location of the instrument and a financialinstitution.

2. Related Applications

The act of depositing or otherwise converting a financial instrumentsuch as a check, draft, or other instrument has generally required thephysical presentment of the instrument by the bearer to a financialinstitution such as a bank, credit union, or other institutionauthorized to accept and process monetary instruments. Indeed, thedepositing and clearing of checks has heretofore involved individuals ororganizations physically taking their deposit, such as in the form of acheck, to financial institutions or trusted remote institutionalbranches, otherwise known as the bank of first deposit, where thedeposit may be accepted, and credited to the bank customer's account, ofcourse, subject to the check “clearing” with the maker financialinstitution.

Financial institutions have developed methods for reducing the amount ofpaper flow associated with checks within their organizations, however,their target has not been to reduce processing costs, improve thetimeliness of the money collection from other financial institutions,and reduce costs associated with handling, storing and returning paperchecks to the maker. Therefore, it would be an advancement to provide anew system centered on electronic information that does not require theuse of paper items for any purpose.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an electronic processingsystem and method that could provide a bearer of a check the convenienceto “deposit” a check at a facility, such as a home or office, that isnot a traditional bank or bank branch facility.

It would also be advantageous to provide a method and system forallowing the remote depositing and processing a check that does notrequire the physical routing of the actual check in order to accomplishthe various post-deposit processing of a check. It would yet be afurther advantage to provide a method and system for improving thecollection time involved with the funds represented by the check (i.e.,reduce credit “float”).

It would be a benefit to provide a method and system for reducingexpenses associated with the transportation costs involved in sendingthe checks from the bank of first deposit to the maker financialinstitution.

It would also be a benefit to provide a method and system for reducingthe check storage expenses incurred by the bank of first deposit.

It would be a further benefit to enable the bank of first deposit toreduce the staffing, facilities (i.e., physical buildings), andequipment required to accept and process physical checks.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been designed to reduce the issues associatedwith the physical handling of paper items by financial institutions andto improve the collections of associated funds by processing electronicimages of checks as opposed to the slower method of sending paper checksthrough the traditional check clearing routes. Not withstanding thepremise for the inventive processes to use electronic images of items tofacilitate processing and clearing of items, it would also be desirablefor the present invention to accommodate the current use of paper itemsand all other commonly accepted methods for clearing checks until suchtime as the use of electronic images becomes a common accepted practicefor clearing checks.

This new process involves inventive computer-based software that can beused at financial institution locations and locations remote fromfinancial institution offices for capturing deposits, together hereinreferred to as remote locations. The remote capture system can be usedby individuals and businesses (including the financial institution) tocapture deposit information and images of the monetary items, such aschecks, required for depositing the checks into their deposit accountsat the financial institution. Once this information is captured andvalidated at the remote site, it is transferred to the financialinstitution over telecommunications lines (leased lines, switched lines,Internet, etc.) to a receiving computer at the financial institution.The financial institution computer verifies the information received,stores the image of the items, and passes back to the remote sitecomputer information that is used by the remote site computer toendorse, cancel, and item number, and otherwise mark, void, and identifythe check. Another image of the check is then created at the remotelocation showing the endorsements information. This image is then sentto the central site of the financial institution for storage and to beused for research and re-depositing of the check if this becomesnecessary. The depositor retains the deposit slips and monetary item(s)at the remote site.

As an alternative to the interactive process of passing voiding,endorsing, unique number information back and forth between the centralsite and the remote site, it will be possible (based on parameters setin the inventive software) to do most of the decision-making on theremote site processor before transmitting the check information to thecentral site. This can be done by pre-loading the endorsement, voiding,and item numbering information on the remote site processor and/orupdating on a regular basis. This allows for checks to be endorsed,voided and item numbered and the image(s) associated with a checkdeposit to be created and passed to the central site without the needfor interactive validation of data between the remote and central sites.

In addition to deposits, decisions based on remote site information, thepresent invention also allows deposits of any number, combination, anddollar amounts of deposit, and checks based upon decisions maderegarding the customer by information stored at the central site. Thisinformation can be loaded onto the central site and communicated to theremote processor as part of the interactive exchange of data during theprocess of validating the deposit. Additionally, this information whilebeing pre-loaded on the remote processor can also be updated on aregular basis.

Once complete deposit data is received by the central site processor atthe bank of first deposit's central site, it is passed to the centralsite's check processing, deposit, and cash management, etc., systems forprocessing. As an alternative, if the remote site or central site isbeing used as a collection center for deposits from other institutions,the deposit information can be passed to the other institutions checkprocessing, deposit, and cash management, etc., systems for processing.The image of the checks can be used to either print the customerstatements (for items drawn on the bank of first deposit or routedthrough the normal check clearing paths (i.e. directly to clearing andcorrespondent banks or through the FRB electronic clearing process). Ifthe maker or maker bank(s) require physical checks for their internalpurposes, a duplicate check is printed by either the bank of firstdeposit's central site, or the maker bank or by the maker banks FRB.

Once received by the maker bank, the check image or duplicate printedcheck is processed by the maker bank through their computer systems andincluded as per their policies in their customer statements. Checksreturned to the depositor for any reason will take the reverse path backto the depositor. Any re-depositing of items by the original depositoris done using the either the printed duplicate paper item (if there isone) or the original endorsed image created and stored at the bank offirst deposit's central site.

All transmission of data preferably undergoes digital signatureverification and certification and data encryption to ensure privacy andconfidentiality of the data being transmitted. In addition, the checkimages will be stored on a document storage database at the remote siteor bank of first deposit as well as Internet enabled and accessibledatabase(s). The information on these database(s) will be available tothe depositor and research personnel at the bank of first deposit'scentral site under security control through remote access such asInternet access.

The system includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, andmethodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types oforganizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securelytransmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks,business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, foodcoupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and otherinformation from remote locations (i.e., locations that could includethe financial institution's remote locations, other financialinstitution's locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for thepurpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual'sor organization's bank account(s) and having the check images (and/orphysical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels forultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker'saccount.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more extensive description of the present invention, including theabove-recited features, advantages, and objects, will be rendered withreference to the specific embodiments that are illustrated in theappended drawings. Because these drawings depict only exemplaryembodiments, the drawings should not be construed as imposing anylimitation on the present invention's scope. As such, the presentinvention will be described and explained with additional specificityand detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a process of capturing and processingdeposits from financial institutions and their branches which can beadapted to incorporate some of the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of remotely capturing and processingdeposits remote from a financial branch or bank, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram showing the capturing andprocessing at the remote site or point of check presentment, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates central site processing of image data as captured atthe remote site, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates processing at the maker or payor institution site, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a processing diagram of the interaction betweenentities of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7 a-7 i are a process flowchart of check processing of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described below with reference to drawings. Thesedrawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments thatimplement the systems and methods of the present invention. However,describing the invention with drawings should not be construed asimposing, on the invention, any limitations that may be present in thedrawings. The present invention contemplates both methods and systemsfor remotely accepting a check for deposit and electronically processingthe deposit without physically routing the physical paper copy of thecheck. The embodiments of the present invention may comprise a specialpurpose or general purpose computer including various computer hardware,the execution unit portion of which may also be known herein as a“processor.”

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also includecomputer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executableinstructions or data structures stored thereon and also known assoftware. Such computer-readable media can be any available media whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By wayof example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media cancomprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.When information is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions may also beproperly termed “software” as known by those of skill in the art.

Although not required, the invention will be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,being executed by computers in network environments. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated datastructures, and program modules represent examples of the program codemeans for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. Theparticular sequence of such executable instructions or associated datastructures represent examples of corresponding acts for implementing thefunctions described in such steps.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and thelike. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by local and remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, orby a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

An exemplary system for implementing the portions of the inventionincludes a general purpose computing device in the form of aconventional computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, anda system bus that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read onlymemory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The computer may alsoinclude a magnetic hard disk drive for reading from and writing to amagnetic hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for reading from or writing toa removable magnetic disk, and an optical disk drive for reading from orwriting to removable optical disk such as a CD-ROM or other opticalmedia. The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of computer-executable instructions, datastructures, program modules and other data for the computer.

Program code or software means comprising one or more program modulesmay be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM or RAM,including an operating system, one or more application or softwareprograms, other program modules, and program data.

The computer may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers having processors. Logicalconnections may include a local area network (LAN) and a wide areanetwork (WAN) that are presented here by way of example and notlimitation. Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wideor enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

It should also be pointed out that while the term “check” may begenerically used herein, it is contemplated by the inventors that otherfinancial instruments are also contemplated within this meaning andtherefore, the use of the term “check” is assumed to have the broadermeaning, both in the specification and the claims.

Additionally, the term “bank of first deposit” means the financialinstitution sponsoring the remote site and which owns or employs acentral site for processing financial transactions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bank of first deposit 101 receives a check fromthe bearer to begin processing the instrument. Bank of first deposit 101actually forwards, in step 113, the physical check(s) to a central site102 for additional physical processing of the actual check. The physicalcheck is processed at central site 102 using a reader/sorter (notseparately shown but included in 102) to acquire information such as theinformation stored on the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)line. This information includes the maker bank number, the accountnumber, a check serial number, etc. The information from the check isthen sent to an in-house computer system (included in 102) for postingin steps 114, 115 to the appropriate bearer account(s) 103, 104 in thebank of first deposit 101. If the check is an on us item (i.e. an itemthat is drawn on the bank that is processing it), the check is retainedin a step 117 at storage 105 at bank of first deposit 101, otherwise thecheck is sent in steps 116 and 119 or, alternatively in step 118 into amaker bank 108 for collection of funds. The check(s) are either sentphysically in step 118 directly to maker bank 108 or routed in steps 116and 119 through a Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) 106 and 107 check clearingprocesses to a maker bank 108.

The path taken by the check is determined by the working agreement thatbank of first deposit 101 has with maker bank 108. If maker bank 108 isa member of the local clearing-house association (thereby being aclearing bank), the checks can be exchanged directly with maker bank108. If the maker bank 108 is a correspondent bank (a bank that hasagreed to exchange checks directly with the bank of first deposit) thechecks can be sent directly to maker bank 108. All other checks areforwarded in steps 116 and 119 to the FRBS, 106 and 107 for exchangewith maker bank 108. If a check is not paid by maker bank 108 for anyreason (i.e. it is a forgery, there are not sufficient funds in themakers account to cover the amount of the check, etc.) the check isreturned to the depositor using the reverse path. Once the check isreceived by maker bank 108, the check is processed in step 121 throughthe maker bank's check capture system 109. Information from the check isthen sent in steps 122 and 123 to the maker bank's accounting systems110 and 111 and the checks are either stored in step 124 at the makerbank's check storage 112, or sent directly to the maker with their checkstatement.

FIG. 2 depicts a high-level processing diagram of the various entitiesinvolved in the overall financial processing of the present invention,in accordance with the preferred embodiment. The present inventioncomprises three primary processing entities: (i) a remote site 197, (ii)a central site 198, and (iii) a maker bank site 199. Each of these sitesenlists specific processing techniques which furthers the novelfinancial instrument processing technique of the present invention.

In the present invention, a remote site processor 201 (further detailedin FIG. 3) either autonomously, or under operator/depositor controlinitially remotely “processes” a check into electronic check data bothin the form of image data and informational data which can be furtherprocessed and approved at subsequent portions of the overall process. Inessence, the remote site provides a processing front-end thatelectronically interacts via interface 202 with central site 198 throughthe transfer of electronic check data for review and processing byelectronic means at a central site. Remote site 197 performs functionsrelating to the physical check including scanning, reading, and printingon the checks. Remote site 197 also exchanges image and/or authorizationdata with the other entities as further described below.

Central site 198 of FIG. 2 interacts via interfaces 207, 208 with makerbank site 199 for completing the clearing process relating to the checkor related instrument. Central site 198 is comprised of a central siteprocessor 203 which coordinates verification and account interaction.Central site 198 also provides both electronic storage of image andinformation data as well as providing an interface to maker bank site199. Central site 198 provides image conversion technology forconverting check data from electronic form back to a hard copy checkformat for processing, printing, and archiving when required by moretraditional banking processes. Otherwise, a system 205 may process theimage of the check in image format. System 205 prevents the need toreprint the check and send the duplicate check through the check readersorters.

Maker bank site 199 performs more traditional account processing ofinformation received from central site 198 such as from central siteFederal Reserve Bank 106. Maker bank site 199 is further comprised ofmaker bank FRB 107 and maker bank 108 and engages in account processingand statement generation.

FIG. 3 depicts the remote site as well as the interaction by a depositoror operator, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The presentinvention commences with the presentation of a physical instrument suchas a check by a bearer to remote site 197. A remotescanner/reader/printer 309 provides the interface to the bearer forpresentment of the check. Remote scanner/reader/printer 309, in thepreferred embodiment, is a multifunction device capable of independentlyperforming each of the functions of scanning, reading, and printing uponthe check or physical financial instrument. It is also contemplated thatindividual devices for performing each of these functions,scanning-reading-printing, may be integrated, whether automatically ormanually, to perform the combination of functions upon the check.

Remote scanner/reader/printer 309 is connected via an interface 310 toremote processor 201. Remote site processor 201, like each of the otherprocessor elements in the present invention, may be comprised ofexecution-capable devices, and is preferably comprised of a computer,such as a personal, network, or general purpose computer. Remoteprocessor 201 is further coupled to central site processor 203 via aninterface transmission or network media 202, which may take the form ofone or more of wired or wireless media such as public switched lines,Internet or wide-area network connection, microwave, satellite, digitalphone, private leased lines, or any other current or future acceptablecommunications facility and may further employ include encryption overthe interface.

Remote site processor 201 executes according to executable instructionssuch as computer-executable instructions which are figuratively depictedin FIG. 3 as software 313. Software 313 is loaded or interfaces withremote processor 201 via a bus or other physical interface depicted asinterface 312. Generally, software 313 is comprised of executableinstructions for (i) causing remote site processor 201 to instruct andexecute the necessary steps for capturing the check or financialinstrument both physically and electronically, (ii) performing requisitedata processing on the electronic data from the capturing step, and(iii) exchanging the captured data over interface or media 202 tocentral site processor 203 when appropriate.

While details relating to the processing and method steps executed byremote site processor 201 via software 313 are described below, remotesite processor 201 further determines if remote processing decisionalinformation such as comparison information for making decisions on thenumber of deposits, dollar amount of deposits or dollar amount ofmonetary items is available on remote site processor 201. If suchdecisional information is not available at remote site 197, then centralsite check processing may require additional steps. Remote siteprocessor 201 also determines if the remote processing informationneeded to void, endorse and itemize number each check 303 is availableto remote processor 201 for processing of check 303, according to themethod of the present invention. If such remote processing informationis available but not current, the remote processing information may beupdated by either having the updated information manually entered, forexample by way of an operator via a keyboard at terminal 301 attached toremote processor 201, or the updated information may be retrieved byremote processor 201, under the direction of software 313, from centralsite processor 203.

In a preferred embodiment, the updated information may be housed in adata set at central site processor 203 and updated by the bank of firstdeposit, affiliated with remote site 197 prior to loading to remote siteprocessor 201. Remote site processor 201, executing software 313, thendetermines if all of the decisions concerning voiding, endorsing, itemnumbering, number of deposits, number of checks or dollar sizes ofdeposits or items can be made by remote site processor 201 by checkingthe remote processing information as pre-defined in remote siteprocessor 201.

If the decisions on endorsing, voiding, item numbering, number ofdeposits, number or dollar amounts of deposits or monetary items can bemade by remote site processor 201, then to ensure proper accountprocessing of check 303, a depositor at terminal 301 is lead through aseries of instructions to gather deposit information required to ensurecredits are made to the appropriate deposit accounts(s). In onepreferred embodiment, the deposit information is read, interpreted andentered automatically by reader/scanner/printer 309. In anotherembodiment, the deposit information is entered manually on, for example,terminal 301 attached to remote site processor 201. Additionally, duringthe practice of the invention, scanner/reader/printer 309 encodes check303 with endorsement and voiding information in order to physically“void” check 303, thereby keeping check 303 from being re-transmitted,for example over media 202, or re-deposited at an actual financialinstitution location for an additional collection. In addition, a uniqueitem identification number may be encoded on check 303 by remote siteprocessor 201 via scanner/reader/printer 309 to aid in tracking dataresulting from processing of check 303.

The process of the present invention continues whenscanner/reader/printer 309 performs the functions of scanning check 303to create electronic check data comprised of image data, informationaldata including MICR encoding (using either MICR, Optical CharacterRecognition (OCR) or other like techniques). Scanner/reader/printer 309“voids” check 303 by endorsing check 303 and printing tracking datathereon. The electronic image data and informational data such as MICRinformation of the voided and endorsed check 303 is transferred overinterface 310 to remote site processor 201 for processing which includesimage integrity verification. When the image integrity is suspect, theintegrity is enhance by either rescanning check 303 or, alternatively,by manual intervention by an operator at terminal 301. If check 303 isrescanned, scanner/reader/printer 309 does not reprint the endorsement,voiding and item numbering information on check 303.

Once the electronic image data and the MICR encoding for the first check303 is determined to be readable and accurate, remote site processor 201determines if this process should be repeated for additional depositsand/or monetary item(s). When remote site processor 201 determines thatprocessing by scanner/reader/printer 309 of individual check(s), underthe direction of remote site processor 201 has ended and that theinformation is complete and ready for transmission via interface/media202, remote site processor 201 formats the electronic image data and theMICR encoding and adds any additional control information in preparationfor transmission to central site processor 203. The physical check 305is stored in file 305 at the remote site. In addition, the check imageis stored on the remote site processor (i.e., magnetic disk, cd rom,etc. not shown on drawing.) Communications between remote site processor201 and central site processor 203 preferably incorporates digitalsignature verification/certification performed by process 311 and dataencryption performed by process 313 to ensure confidentiality.

FIG. 4 depicts the central site processor and the various processes andinterfaces associated therewith, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. While the accuracy of electroniccheck data transferred from remote site processor 201 to central siteprocessor 203 will generally retain its integrity through thetransmission, when electronic check data received by central siteprocessor 203, as evaluated and processed by computer-executableinstructions or software loaded therein, is incomplete or inaccurate, orif the image data is not readable, central site processor 203communicates with remote processor 201 giving detailed information to anoperator at terminal 301 concerning the need for additional informationto restore image information or complete incomplete or inaccurate data.Depending upon the type of missing or otherwise incorrect information,corrected or supplemental information may be supplied by an operator atterminal 301 at remote site 197. It may even be necessary to re-scancheck(s) 303 and re-transmit at least portions of the check dataincluding image and/or MICR data to central site processor 203. If check303 is re-scanned, then endorsement, voiding and item number informationare not reprinted on check 303.

Once central site processor 203 determines the new check data receivedfor the deposit is accurate and complete, central site processor 203stores the check image and MICR data of check(s) 303 along with anyadditional associated information such as time that deposit wascaptured, who the customer was who captured the deposit, item number,etc. as received from remote site 201. Central site processor 203confirms receipt of accurate information by sending a notification replyto remote site processor 201 freeing-up remote site processor 201 forfurther processing of subsequent remote check deposit interactions. Inalternate embodiments, central site processor 203 may store image dataon an Internet-enabled check image document storage 405 thereby allowingaccess by the depositor/operator from a terminal such as terminal 301,their designee, or the financial institution of first deposit. It shouldbe pointed out that because of present banking processes, the remotesite should still be associated with a chartered financial institutionthat is authorized to accept the checks from the remote site and processthem through normal check clearing paths. The remote site may be abranch extension of the financial institution or may be a person, orother entity with or without a legal relationship to the financialinstitution that provides the access services to the financialinstitution. Such an affiliated financial institution is still known asthe bank of first deposit. The present embodiment does not proposeeliminating the bank of first deposit, only replacing the method used tocapture deposits. Central site processor 203 maintains authenticationand data integrity at check image document storage 405 through the useof digital signature verification and certification, as well as via dataencryption as shown in processes 314 and 315.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, if the decisions ofendorsing, voiding, item numbering, number of deposits number or checksor dollar amounts of deposits or monetary items cannot be made by remotesite processor 201, for example, when the telecommunications line goesdown and the decision information cannot be updated on the remote siteprocessor, or when the central site processor is inoperable, or thespecific remote site is not authorized to make these decisions (i.e. wewill determine and pass that information to the remote site processorwhen the remote site processor contacts the central site processor priorto accepting deposit information at the remote site), then remote siteprocessor 201 leads a depositor at for example terminal 301 through aseries of instructions to gather deposit information required to ensurecredits are made to the appropriate deposit accounts(s) 104. This can bedone by either using the reader/scanner/printer 309 or by entering thenecessary information on the terminal 301 attached to remote processor201.

Then, check 303 is placed into the scanner/reader/printer 309 where theitem is scanned, the MICR encoding is read preferably using either MICRor Optical Character Recognition (OCR) techniques, and an electronicimage is created of check 303. The electronic image data andinformational data such as MICR information is transferred fromscanner/reader/printer 309 onto remote site processor 201 where remotesite processor 201 edits and confirms that the electronic check data isreadable. If the electronic check data is not readable or correct, thecheck data is corrected at the direction of remote site processor 201 byeither re-scanning check 303 or having a remote site operator manuallykey the information in using terminal 301 or other interface deviceattached to remote site processor 201.

Once the check data is determined to be readable and accurate, remotesite processor 201 then formats the scanned check data and addsadditional control information in preparation for transmission tocentral site processor 203 and the alternate embodiment approachconcludes.

Returning to FIG. 4, after receipt of valid and accurate check data, ifit is determined that the maker bank or maker of the check requires aphysical item, the check image is printed in process 401 and thenprocessed through the central site check image capture system 205. If aphysical item is not required, the image is sent to the check imagecapture system 205. In either case, the check image capture system 205interfaces with the central site 198 deposit systems 103, cashmanagement systems 104, etc. for posting information. The central sitethen forwards either the printed duplicate check or check image to themaker bank 108. This can be done directly through path 208 if the bankof first deposit's central site 198 has an agreement with maker bank 108to exchange checks directly, or if the maker bank and the central sitebank of first deposit do not have an exchange agreement then throughFRBs 106, 107 through path 207.

FIG. 5 depicts the various component and processes of the maker banksite, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention.

The maker bank 108 receives either images of the original paper items303 or printed duplicates of the original paper items 303 eitherdirectly from the bank of first deposit's central site through path 208or from the central site Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) 106 clearing processthrough path 206 (FIG. 4), 207, 120.

Central site FRB 106 will process the check images or paper itemsthrough their capture system and forward the images or paper items tothe maker bank FRB 107 through path 207. The maker bank FRB thenprocesses the items or images through their check capture system 504through path 503 and if necessary, (i.e., when paper duplicate of itemhas not already been printed by the bank of first deposit), print aduplicate of the original check 303 image if a paper item is required bymaker bank 108. A maker bank FRB 107 will then forward the printed itemsor images to the maker bank 108 via communications or transportationpath depicted as path 120. Maker bank 108 will then process the image orpaper item though their in-house application systems depicted by depositsystem 110, print check image process, 509, check system process, andcustomer statement process 506 through paths 122, 507, 508, 121, 505,and 507.

These in house systems are not to be taken as systems that all bankswill have or use for this process. They are meant to represent the inhouse processing by maker banks to post monetary items to theiraccounting systems and to send the items (either image or printedduplicate of original items) to the check maker.

FIG. 6 is an interface diagram depicting a high level description of theinteractions between the various components of the present invention, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment, the remote site operator enters depositinformation into the remote processor then inserts a draft in a step 601at the scanner/reader/printer located at the remote site. Thescanner/reader/printer reads the item, digitizes and validates the checkimage information and passes it to the software on the remote siteprocessor in a step 602. The remote site processor software receives thedigitized data from the scanner/reader/printer and validates data toensure that the check information is readable and valid in a step 603.When the image is ready for transmission to the central site. The remotesite processor contacts the transmission facility and, incorporatingdigital signature verification and certification and data encryptionsoftware to ensure confidentiality, transmits in a step 604 the itemimage and control information to the central site. The central sitereceives the transmitted data and edits and in a step 611 verifies thecheck data for completeness and content.

When the central site has determined the check image and otherassociated data (relating to both the check image and data, and thedeposit information) is complete and accurate and meets the depositand/or item dollar limits, the central site stores the electronic imageof the check and any additional associated information received from theremote site, and then confirms in a step 605 receipt of good informationby sending to the remote site information needed to endorse the physicalcheck and to void the physical item to keep it from being re-transmittedor deposited at a physical financial institution location forcollection. In addition, a unique item identification number can betransmitted to the inventive software on the remote site processor forprinting on the physical checks as a tracking and research mechanism.The invention allows for printing of the unique item number if it isdetermined by the bank employing the present invention that it isdesirable to print the unique item number for tracking and researchpurposes.

After the inventive software on the remote processor receives specificinformation required to void, endorse, and print the unique item number,the remote site processor and the scanner/reader/printer will pass thecheck again where the remote site will print in a step 606 theinformation on the physical item at the locations required by the rulesgoverning automated check processing. The item is also scanned in a step607 again under the direction of the remote site inventive software andthe new image (containing endorsement, voiding and item numberinformation), and associated additional information required by theinventive software for tracking and control purposes, is edited in astep 608 for accuracy and completeness and if correct is thentransmitted in a step 609 to the central site by the remote site usingthe transmission facility set up for this purposes.

If the data is not readable or correct, the information is corrected atthe direction of the remote site by either re-scanning the item orhaving the remote site operator key the information in using theterminal attached to the remote site processor. If the item is rescannedat this point, the endorsement, voiding and item number information isnot reprinted by the scanner/reader/printer. When the image is ready fortransmission to the central site, the remote site processor contacts thetransmission facility and, incorporating digital signature verificationand certification, and data encryption software to ensureconfidentiality, transmits in a step 609 the item image and controlinformation to the central site.

The central site receives the transmitted updated image data and editsin a step 613 for completeness and content. If the data is incomplete orinaccurate, or if the image data is not readable, the central sitecommunicates, with the remote processor and gives detailed informationto the operator concerning the need for additional information tocomplete the inaccurate data or image information. Based on the specificneed, this information can be supplied using the terminal on the remotesite processor or by re-scanning the physical item and re-transmittingit to the central site. In either case, this information is suppliedunder the direction of the remote site processor. Such additionalinformation is transmitted to the central site processor from the remotesite processor. If the physical item is rescanned at this point, theendorsement, voiding and item number information is not reprinted by thescanner/reader/printer.

Once the central site determines the new data received for the depositis accurate and complete, the central site stores in a step 618 theupdated image of the physical item (on the database(s) maintained by thebank of first deposit's central site for this purpose) along with anyadditional associated information received from the remote site, andthen confirms receipt in a step 610 of good information by sending anotification to the remote site that the process for that specificdeposit is complete unless more items are present in a step 615 andallows for termination of the transmission of information or for thesame process to be followed for other items in a step 614 in thatdeposit or for another deposit in a step 616.

In another embodiment of the invention, the central site stores thecheck image(s) on an Internet enabled documents storage system allowingaccess by the depositor, their designee, or the central site processingcenter of the bank of first deposit. The central site for storing checkimages and associated information preferably employees incorporatingdigital signature verification and certification, and data encryption toensure confidentiality.

If the check is removed from the scanner/reader/printer prematurely, atany time during the process of capturing and transmitting data from theremote site, the transaction information associated with that check willbe considered invalid and not part of the deposit. The depositor willneed to re-scan and re-enter data associated with that check.

The remote site operator will have the option at the remote site torelease deposit information to the central site for processing. This canbe done after either a completion of single deposit in step 615(containing one or more checks) or after completion of all deposits instep 616 (each containing one or more checks) from the remote site.

After the deposit(s) from a specific remote site are complete, thecentral site formats deposit information for processing in theaccounting systems of the bank of first deposit's central site in a step619, including sending the image and other appropriate information forapplication processing in step 620 (including deposit accountingsystems, MICR capture, cash management processing, float processing,etc.).

If an item is an “on us” item, the central site determines that aphysical check is required by the maker, that information is relayed tothe central site and an identical image or facsimile of the originalitem can be printed by either the central site processor or by the itemcapture system in step 619.

If the maker bank is a clearing or correspondent bank then the bank offirst deposit will determine if the maker bank requires a paper or imageitem. If the maker bank requires a paper item, then the bank of firstdeposit's central site will print an exact duplicate of the paper itemand route in step 621 the item to the maker bank. The duplicate printeditem will generally be as exact as possible based on the quality of theoriginal image. If the maker bank does not require a paper item then thebank of first deposit will route the check image to the maker bank.

If the maker bank is not a clearing or correspondent bank, the checkdata including image will be forwarded in step 621 using the FRB itemclearing processes to route the item image to the FRB affiliated withthe maker bank. The maker bank FRB determines if the maker bank willaccept check data including an image of the item. If the maker bankrequires a paper item, the maker bank FRB prints an identical image ofthe original item with information showing that it is a duplicate andthat the bank of first deposit is central site guarantees the item. Thisduplicated item is then sent in step 621 to the maker bank for thecollections of funds.

As an alternative, the check image or a printed reproduction of thecheck can be sent in step 621 to the maker bank from either the bank offirst deposit is central site or the maker bank FRB using any otheracceptable clearing method or process.

Check items that need to be returned, are done so in steps 624 and 625to the bank of first deposit to be routed back through the same routethat was used to clear the item. If a paper item has been created, thatitem will be returned along with information showing the reason forreturn. Otherwise, the image will be used for return item purposes untilthe return item image is returned to the bank of first deposit's centralsite. At that point, if the remote site processor 201 is able to receivean item image, the image along with the return reason will be passed tothe remote site processor 201. If the remote site processor is notcapable of receiving check data including an item image, a paperduplicate showing the return reason will be printed either by thecentral site or by the item capture system under the direction of thecentral site and sent to the remote site operator 301. The unique itemnumber assigned at capture time by either the central site or the remotesite can a be included in all return images and/or returned paper itemsto enable complete and accurate tracking of all return items

Re-deposit may be performed in steps 626, 627, 628 of items facilitatedby the remote site prompting the remote site operator with instructionson how to scan and transmit the returned paper item or re-deposit theendorsed image previously captured and stored. The unique item numberassigned at capture time by either the central site or the remote sitefacilitates both options.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart depicting the specific steps for carryingout the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

In a step 700, the software is loaded or otherwise made available to theremote site processor for execution. Those skilled in the art appreciatethe various processes and steps for performing loading of software intoa processor such as the remote site processor. It is also contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention that the software forexecution on any of the processors may take the form of embeddedexecutable instructions.

Query step 900 determines if deposit processing criteria, (e.g., depositlimit and endorsement information) are present at the remote siteprocessor thereby enabling the initial check deposit processingdecisions to be performed locally at the remote site processor or,alternatively, when the deposit processing criteria is not local on theremote site processor, processing passes through path 906 to step 701.

When query step 900 determines that deposit processing criteria ispresent at the remote site processor, a query step 910 deter mines ifthe information required to determine deposit limits and endorse theitem is current on the remote site processor. If this information ispresent and current on the remote site processor, processing passesthrough path 911 to step 930 where the remote site operator entersdeposit information, as well as the endorsement voiding and itemnumbering information in process step 931 prior to reading the firstmonetary item in process step 932 and then proceeding to query step 933.If this information is not present on the remote site processor or if itis not current, then query step 920 determines if this information canbe updated by the operator. If the operator cannot update thisinformation, then process step 926 allows for updating the depositinformation from the central site processor and then proceeds to processstep 930 where the operator begins the remote capture function byentering deposit information. If the operator can update thisinformation, then process step 921 allows for the operator to update thedeposit limit and endorsement information and then proceed to processquery step 922.

Query step 922 determines if the remote site processor can make depositlimit and/or endorsement decisions. If the decision can be made by theremote site processor, then process step 930 allows for the remoteoperator to enter deposit information, as well as the endorsementvoiding and item numbering information in process step 931 prior toreading the first monetary item in process step 932 and then proceedingto query step 933.

Query step 933 determines if the current item exceeds the item dollarlimit or makes the deposit exceed the deposit dollar limit. If thelimits are exceed then the process of entering items for the givendeposit in process end 934, and the remote site operator has the optionof beginning another deposit or ending the deposit process with thecentral site processor. If the limits are not exceeded, then processstep 935 accounts for the scanned item 932 being edited for accuracy andcompleteness at the remote location prior to proceeding to query step936 where it is determined if the data from the scanned item is correct.

In query step 936, if the data is correct, then query step 937determines if there are more items to scan. If there are more items toscan, then process step 940 passes back to process step 930 to allow theremote operator to begin the item capture process over again. If querystep 937 determines that there are no more items or deposits to process,then process step 941 prepares the item image data or check data fortransmission prior to encrypting the data in process step 942 anddigitally signing the data in process step 943. Process step 944transmits the data image to the central site processor for editing inprocess step 747.

In query step 936, if the data is not correct, then query step 938determines if the operator can correct the data using a data terminalconnected to the remote site processor. If the operator can correct thedata, it is done in process step 946 prior to passing through processstep 947 and going back to query step 936 to test data image forcorrectness. In query step 938, if the scanned item image is notcorrect, process step 948 passes through to process 932 where the itemis rescanned.

Stepping back to query step 922, if endorsement and deposit limitinformation cannot be made by the remote site processor, then the remotesite operator enters deposit information in process step 701 beforescanning the physical monetary item in process step 702 after which theitem image is edited in process step 703.

In query step 704, if the image data is not correct, the check isreturned to process step 702 where it is rescanned and re-edited in step703. If query step 704 determines the image data is correct, then thedata is passed successfully through process step 710 where the image isprepared for transmission to process step 711 where the date isencrypted and step 712 where the digital signature is added inpreparation for transmitting the data to the central site in processstep 713.

Process step 714 receives the transmitted image data and passes it toquery step 715 where it is edited for accuracy and completeness. If thedata is not accurate or complete, it is passed to process step 720 wherethe data is corrected by requesting updated information from the remotesite processor. If the remote site operator cannot supply correct datevia the terminal attached to the remote site processor in query step721, then the check passes through process step 725 to process step 702where it is scanned again in preparation for editing and transmittingthe corrected image to the central site processor. If the remote siteoperator is able and authorized to correct the data in query step 721,the data is entered in process step 722 and passed through path 723 toprocess step 711 where the data is encrypted in preparation fortransmitting to the central site processor.

If in query step 715 the check image data is complete and accurate, thedata is passed to process step 730 where the image is stored in datasets used by the bank for document archival and research as well as in adatabase that is Internet enabled and available for access and researchpurposes by the depositing customer and bank of first deposit. After theimage is stored, a confirmation of good data receipt is created inprocess step 731. This confirmation contains necessary endorsement, itemnumbering and voiding information, which is added to the confirmationrecord in process steps 732 and 733 prior to the confirmation being sentto the remote site processor. The confirmation record is then dataencrypted in process step 734 and a digital signature is added inprocess step 735 prior to the record being transmitted to the remoteprocessor in process step 736. Upon receipt by the remote processor inprocess step 737, the endorsement, item numbering and voidinginformation is printed on the physical check in process step 738 priorto it being re-scanned in process step 739.

After a new check image is created showing the necessary endorsement andvoiding information in process step 740, the new check image is editedto ensure the scanned check data is correct. If in query step 742, it isdetermined that the image data is not complete or accurate, the image ispassed through process step 750 to process step 739 where the physicalcheck is scanned again. If the check is passed through the reader againat this point, the endorsement information has already been printed andwill not be printed again. If in query step 742 it is determined thatthe check image data is good, the data in prepared for transmission inprocess step 743 prior to the data being encrypted in process step 743and digitally signed in process step 745 prior to being transmitted tothe central site in process step 746.

As the central site receives the transmitted image data in process step747, the image is edited by the central site software in process step748 to ensure completeness and accuracy of data. Query step 756determines quality of data and if the data is not complete or accurate,it is sent to query step 791 where it is determined if the deposit limitand or endorsement information is available on the remote siteprocessor. If this information is available on the remote site processorthen the central site processor communicates with the remote siteprocessor through path 794 to determine if the remote site operator cansupply the correct image data in query step 938. The process involved inquery step 938 was discussed above. If query step 791 determines thatthe deposit limit and endorsement information is not on the remoteprocessor then query step 795 determines if the remote operator cansupply the correct image information. If the operator can supply thecorrect image information, it is entered in process step 796 and thecheck image is prepared for transmission in process step 797 and passedto process step 744 (previously discussed) for digital signature andtransmission. If in query step 795 the operator cannot correct/updatethe image information, the check is processed through path 798 toprocess step 739 (previously discussed) where it is scanned again inpreparation for transmitting to central site processor.

Stepping back to query step 756, if the data image is complete andaccurate the endorsed image of the check is stored in process step 760in datasets used by the bank for document archival and research as wellas in a database in process step 762 that is Internet enabled andavailable for the depositing customer and bank of first deposit to beable to access for research purposes.

The central processor site then sends confirmation of good receipt ofdata in process step 762 to the remote processor in process step 763. Atthis point query step 764 at the remote processor determines if thedeposit currently being worked on is complete. If the deposit is notcomplete, then process step 780 returns control to the previouslydiscussed process step 702 where the next item is scanned. If thedeposit is complete query step 764 asks the operator in query step 765if there is another deposit. If there is another deposit to beprocessed, process step 766 passes through to previously discussedprocess step 701 where the new deposit process is initiated. If there isnot another deposit as determined in query step 765, the remote entryprocess is completed and the captured deposit and image information isentered into application processing for the bank of first deposit'scentral site item capture system in process step 771, the depositsystems in process step 772 and the cash management systems in processstep 773.

In the course of processing a deposit, it is integral to the decisionmaking to understand which banks the deposited items are drawn (i.e. whois the maker bank). Query step 774 determines if the monetary items inthe deposit are “on us” items (i.e. items drawn on the bank of firstdeposit). If the items are “on us,” the system determines, in query step850, if the check maker requires a paper check. If they do, then aduplicate of the original check is printed in process step 8M and thepaper item is sent to the maker of the check. In addition, the image ofthe item is sent to process step 860 (discussed below) for processing oninternal computer accounting systems. In query step 850, if the maker ofthe check does not require a paper duplicate of the original item,process step 860 passes the checks image through the internal accountingsystems to query step 861 where it is determined if the item is payable(i.e., does the check maker have sufficient funds in their account tocover the check, is the maker account still open, etc.).

If query step 861 determines the item is payable, the check data isposted to the maker's account and the process ends for that check itemin step 863. If query step 861 determines the item is not payable, thenprocess step 870 returns either the printed duplicate of the check orthe check image to the original depositor at the remote location. Inquery step 871, a remote site operator determines if they want tore-deposit the item or return it. If they decide to return the item,this is done in process step 880 and path 881 sends control topreviously discussed process end step 863. If query step 871 determinesthat the item should be re-deposited for collection, query step 872determines if this is to be done using the duplicate paper item or theoriginal check image.

If the return from query step 872 is to be done using the duplicatepaper item, then this is done in path 873 where control is sent back topreviously discussed process step 764 where the item is deposited usingthe scanner/reader/printer. If the check return from query step 872 isto be done using the original captured check image for the item, processstep 875 allows for the remote operator to initiate this process in astep 875 by entering the unique number assigned to the original check atcapture time. This information is sent to the central site processor viaprocess step 876 and control is then passed through path 877 to processstep 764 where the item is deposited using the check original checkimage.

Stepping back to query step 774 where it is determined if the item is anon us item, if query step 774 determines that the item in not an “on us”item then query step 800 determines if the maker bank is a clearing bankor a correspondant bank. If the maker bank is a clearing bank or acorrespondant bank, then query step 801 determines if the maker bankrequires a paper copy of the original check item. If they require apaper duplicate, then a paper duplicate of the original item is printedin process step 802 and sent to the maker bank in path 803 which passescontrol to process step 805 discussed below. If query step 801determines that the maker bank does not require a printed duplicatecheck, the image of the original item drawn on the maker bank is sent tothe maker bank in process step 805 and the maker bank sends the itemthrough path 806 to previously discussed process step 861 to determineif the item is payable at the maker bank.

Stepping back to query step 800, if the payee bank is not a clearingbank or correspondent bank, process step 810 sends the check image tothe Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) serving as the clearing entity for thebank of first deposit. That branch of the Federal Reserve Bank forwardsthe check image to the Federal Reserve Bank serving as the clearingagent for the maker bank. That Federal Reserve Bank determines in querystep 811 if the maker bank requires a paper duplicate of the originalpaper check. If the maker bank requires a paper item, the FRB prints thepaper item in process step 812, incorporates the duplicate check intheir processing systems as depicted in process step 813 where the itemis sent in path 814 to process step 815 where the maker bank receivesthe paper item. If in query step 811 the maker bank does not require apaper check, the FRB sends the image to the maker bank that receives theimage in process step 815 and passes, via path 816, either the checkimage or printed duplicate of the original check to previously discussedquery step 861 to determine if the item is payable by the maker.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom its spirit or essential characteristics. As properly understood,the preceding description of specific embodiments is illustrative onlyand in no way restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated solely by the appended claims as follows.

What is claimed is:
 1. A central system for deposit processing aplurality of checks deposited at a remote site with accompanying depositinformation, comprising: one or more computers configured to receivebank deposit information for a plurality of different deposittransactions made by a plurality of different depositing individuals,with the deposit information including a bank deposit accountdesignation within a bank of first deposit for each of the plurality ofdifferent depositing individuals, electronic check data for each of theplurality of checks being deposited, and check image data for at leastone check deposited by each of the plurality of different depositingindividuals, wherein the central system is separate from MICR capture,deposit accounting and float processing systems for the bank of firstdeposit; and wherein the central system is configured to transmit atleast the electronic check data for each of the plurality of checksbeing deposited in each of the plurality of different deposittransactions to the bank of first deposit, in a transmission path thatbypasses the MICR capture system of the bank of first deposit.
 2. Thesystem as defined in claim 1, wherein: the one or more computers areconfigured to receive endorsed and/or voided check image data from theremote site for processing.
 3. The system as defined in claim 2,wherein: the one or more computers are configured to send the checkimage data to the bank of first deposit.
 4. The system as defined inclaim 1, further comprising: a memory device coupled to the one or morecomputers for storing at least one selected from the group of the checkimage data and endorsed and/or voided check image data, wherein thememory device is accessible from the Internet.
 5. The system as definedin claim 1, wherein: the one or more computers are configured todetermine if the maker bank requires a hard copy of the check, and ifso, to send the check image data for printing a hard copy of the check.6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: the one or more computersare configured to determine if the maker bank requires a hard copy ofthe check, and if so, to cause a hard copy of the check from the checkimage data to be printed and sent directly or indirectly to the makerbank.
 7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: the one or morecomputers are configured to receive information about a return checkcoupled with a reference key for an original deposit transaction; andthe one or more computers are configured to send the return check imagedata for the return check with the reference key directly or indirectlyto the maker bank for re-presentment.
 8. The system as defined in claim1, wherein: the one or more computers are configured to receiveinformation about a return check coupled with a reference key for anoriginal deposit transaction; and the one or more computers areconfigured to determine if a re-presentment of the returned checkrequires a duplicate hard copy of the return check or if check dataimage is acceptable for the re-presentment; and the one or morecomputers are configured to send directly or indirectly check image datafor the return check and the reference key to the maker bank if thecheck image is determined to be acceptable.
 9. The system as defined inclaim 8, wherein: the one or more computers are configured to return thecheck image data or the reference key to the depositor.
 10. The systemas defined in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of differentremote sites, with each remote site comprising one or more computers,with the one or more computers at the remote sites are programmed to:obtain electronic deposit data for one or more checks; convert data foreach of the one or more checks into electronic check data; create animage of the one or more checks to obtain original check image data; andtransmit the electronic check data and the original check image data tothe central system.
 11. The system as defined in claim 10, wherein theone or more computers at the remote sites are programmed to: transmit tothe central system the original check image data and endorsed and/or thevoided check image data.